India vows to press tobacco companies for bigger health warnings

April 24, 2015 10:17 AM

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is committed to boosting the size of health warnings on tobacco products, the government said on Friday, seeking to deflect criticism for delaying tougher new packaging rules beyond a deadline of April 1.

Up to 900,000 Indians die every year of tobacco-related diseases, the government said in 2010. That could rise to 1.5 million by 2020 if users do not kick the habit, the International Tobacco Control Project estimates.